THE POCKET calculator decided in the end that Netherfield would not be going to Old Trafford to contest this year's Thwaites Lancashire Cup final, writes Richard Daniels.

Attempts to replay the semi-final with Ormskirk - washed out the previous Saturday - were thwarted again on Sunday when the rainclouds settled over Parkside Road as the visitors stood at 63-4

in pursuit of Netherfield's moderate 110 all out.

After the sums were done

it was defending champions Netherfield who bowed out by virtue of an inferior run-rate - a difference of one eighth-hundreth of a run.

You could argue it would have been rough justice if Ormskirk, who were looking to avenge defeat in last year's final, had lost in such a manner.

With another 20 overs to go, their run chase had still to begin in earnest .

However, both teams knew the rules and Ormskirk had enjoyed the benefit of inserting the opposition on a difficult track and were far from enjoying a smooth passage.

But Netherfield can surely only blame themselves after a decidedly mediocre effort with the bat even given the difficult wicket and a sodden outfield, which made runs hard to accumulate.

Inserted by the visitors and faced with some naggingly- accurate bowling, Netherfield lacked urgency to step up the scoring-rate and find the gaps in the field.

Tommy Prime was caught behind with the score on 20 in the sixth over and Craig Walmsley was not his usual forceful self and went lofting a ball for a fielder to run in from the long-on boundary and take an athletic catch.

Professional Pieter Strydom looked primed for a big score on 20 when he tossed his wicket away.

He appeared to lose concentration to a ball that stopped on him and it lobbed up off the bat for the easiest of caught and bowled chances.

The innings' two biggest stands of 24 and 23 followed.

Jimmy Moyes perished to an lbw decision on nine trying to sweep and then Simon Dutton misread a ball he tried to cut for a top-scoring 30.

Two balls later Stuart Horne went for nought and at 98-5 it left Grahame Clarke as the last recognised batsman and hope of setting a respectable target.

Clarke had launched a gigantic straight six on to the top bank, but Ormskirk's cleverly-paced tactical bowling prevented him dominating and on 21 he holed out to a big

hit to the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Three more runs were added for three last wickets of David Wheatman, Scott Clement and Marc Hadwin, with Unsworth the main beneficiary with an impressive five for 17 off only 8.4 overs.

In reply Ormskirk looked prepared to work hard for their runs and there was not much help in the pitch for the Netherfield pace attack.

Wheatman gained an lbw decision to split the openers, but it was the onset of spin which had Ormskirk in difficulties.

Hadwin induced a dolly catch from a botched sweep shot to short fine leg and then Strydom struck in his opening over with an edge behind to Moyes.

Simon Dutton raced from slip for a full-length diving legside catch off Hadwin and the match still hung in the balance at 63-4 when the weather spoiled the day.